Method and apparatus for selectively indicating win proximity

Abstract

Each play of a base game increases the likelihood of winning a bonus award. A display provides a graphical indication of the change in likelihood of winning the bonus award. In one aspect, the bonus award comprises the opportunity to play a secondary game.

1 . A gaming device comprising:
 a base game;   a base game pay table;   a number generator configured to select at least one trigger threshold;   at least one bonus award mechanism configured to award a bonus award in addition to any award resulting from the base game pay table;   at least one counter configured to generate a count related to the occurrence of wagers that bear a defined relationship to a determined value, the counter being operatively connected to the bonus award mechanism and configured to award a bonus award when the count bears a predetermined relationship to the trigger threshold; and   a display configured to provide a graphical indication of the change in likelihood of awarding the bonus award.   
     
     
         2 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the gaming device further includes a secondary game and wherein the bonus award comprises the opportunity to play the secondary game. 
     
     
         3 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the display is configured to provide the graphical indication of the change in likelihood of awarding the bonus award only when a wager bears the defined relationship to the determined value. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the trigger threshold is less than or equal to a predetermined number and wherein the display comprises an indication of the proximity of the count to the predetermined number. 
     
     
         5 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the display comprises an indication of the proximity of the count to the trigger threshold. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the display comprises light that changes condition in proportion to the change in likelihood of awarding the bonus award. 
     
     
         7 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the change of condition comprises a change in color. 
     
     
         8 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein wagers that bear the defined relationship to the determined value comprises a wager that is greater than a predetermined value. 
     
     
         9 . The gaming device of  claim 8  wherein the wager that is greater than a predetermined value comprises the maximum credit that can be wagered. 
     
     
         10 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein wagers that bear the defined relationship to the determined value comprises a wager that is less than a predetermined value. 
     
     
         11 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the gaming device further includes:
 means for selecting a second trigger threshold;   a second bonus award mechanism configured to award a second bonus award in addition to any award resulting from the base game pay table; and   a second counter configured to generate a count related to the occurrence of wagers that bear a second defined relationship to a second determined value, the second counter being operatively connected to the second bonus award mechanism and configured to award a second bonus award when the second count bears a predetermined relationship to the second trigger threshold.   
     
     
         12 . The gaming device of  claim 11  wherein the display is configured to provide a graphical indication of the change in likelihood of awarding the bonus award associated with the count that is closest to its trigger threshold. 
     
     
         13 . The gaming device of  claim 12  wherein the first and second defined relationships are the same and the first and second determined values are the same. 
     
     
         14 . The gaming device of  claim 12  wherein the display is configured to provide the graphical indication of the change in likelihood of awarding the bonus award only when a wager bears the defined relationship to the determined value. 
     
     
         15 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the display is configured to provide the graphical indication of the change in likelihood of awarding the bonus award only when a wager bears a second defined relationship to a second determined value. 
     
     
         16 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the display is configured to update the likelihood of awarding the bonus award after each wager. 
     
     
         17 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the bonus award comprises a fixed award. 
     
     
         18 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the bonus award comprises a progressive award. 
     
     
         19 . A gaming device comprising:
 a base game;   at least one number generator configured to select a trigger threshold;   a secondary game;   at least one counter configured to count the occurrence of wagers that bear a defined relationship to a determined value, the counter being operatively connected to the secondary game and configured to enable the secondary game when the count bears a predetermined relationship to the trigger threshold; and   a display configured to provide a graphical indication of the change in likelihood of enabling the secondary game.   
     
     
         20 . The gaming device of  claim 19  wherein the display is configured to provide the graphical indication of the change in likelihood of enabling the secondary game only when a wager bears the defined relationship to the determined value. 
     
     
         21 . The gaming device of  claim 19  wherein the trigger threshold is less than or equal to a predetermined number and wherein the display comprises an indication of the proximity of the count to the predetermined number. 
     
     
         22 . The gaming device of  claim 19  wherein the display comprises an indication of the proximity of the count to the trigger threshold. 
     
     
         23 . The gaming device of  claim 19  wherein the display comprises light that changes condition in proportion to the change in likelihood of enabling the secondary game. 
     
     
         24 . The gaming device of  claim 23  wherein the change of condition comprises a change in color. 
     
     
         25 . The gaming device of  claim 19  wherein wagers that bear the defined relationship to the determined value comprises a wager that is greater than a predetermined value. 
     
     
         26 . The gaming device of  claim 25  wherein the wager that is greater than a predetermined value comprises the maximum credit that can be wagered. 
     
     
         27 . The gaming device of  claim 19  wherein wagers that bear the defined relationship to the determined value comprises a wager that is less than a predetermined value. 
     
     
         28 . The gaming device of  claim 19  wherein the counter is associated with a secondary game outcome. 
     
     
         29 . The gaming device of  claim 28  wherein the gaming device further includes:
 means for selecting a second trigger threshold;   a second counter configured to generate a second count related to the occurrence of wagers that bear a second defined relationship to a second determined value, the second counter being operatively connected to the secondary game and configured to enable the secondary game when the second count bears a predetermined relationship to the second trigger threshold.   
     
     
         30 . The gaming device of  claim 29  wherein the second counter is associated with a second secondary game outcome. 
     
     
         31 . The gaming device of  claim 30  wherein the display is configured to provide a graphical indication of the change in likelihood of enabling the secondary game as a result of the count that is closest to its trigger threshold. 
     
     
         32 . The gaming device of  claim 31  wherein the first and second defined relationships are the same and the first and second determined values are the same. 
     
     
         33 . The gaming device of  claim 31  wherein the display is configured to provide the graphical indication of the change in likelihood of enabling the secondary game only when a wager bears the defined relationship to the determined value. 
     
     
         34 . The gaming device of  claim 19  wherein the display is configured to provide the graphical indication of the change in likelihood of enabling the secondary game only when a wager bears a second defined relationship to a second determined value. 
     
     
         35 . The gaming device of  claim 19  wherein the display is configured to update the likelihood of enabling the secondary game after each wager. 
     
     
         36 . The gaming device of  claim 19  wherein the secondary game provides a fixed award. 
     
     
         37 . The gaming device of  claim 19  wherein the secondary game provides a progressive award. 
     
     
         38 . A method of operating a gaming device comprising:
 selecting at least one trigger threshold;   generating at least one count related to the occurrence of wagers that bear a defined relationship to a determined value;   comparing the count and the trigger threshold;   displaying the proximity of the count to the trigger threshold; and   awarding a bonus award when the count substantially equals the trigger threshold.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38  wherein awarding the bonus award comprises providing the opportunity to play a secondary game. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the method further comprises concealing the proximity of the count to the trigger threshold if the wager is below the determined value. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38  wherein displaying the proximity of the count to the trigger threshold comprises changing the condition of light in proportion to the change in proximity of the count to the trigger threshold. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41  wherein changing the condition of light comprises changing the color of light. 
     
     
         43 . The gaming device of  claim 38  wherein wagers that bear the defined relationship to the determined value comprises a wager that is greater than a predetermined value. 
     
     
         44 . The gaming device of  claim 43  wherein the wager that is greater than a predetermined value comprises the maximum credit that can be wagered. 
     
     
         45 . The gaming device of  claim 38  wherein wagers that bear the defined relationship to the determined value comprises a wager that is less than a predetermined value. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the method further comprises:
 selecting a second trigger threshold;   generating a second count related to the occurrence of wagers that bear a second defined relationship to a second determined value;   comparing the second count and the second trigger threshold; and   awarding a second bonus award when the second count substantially equals the second trigger threshold.   
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the first and second bonus awards comprise the opportunity to play a secondary game and wherein awarding the first bonus award comprises awarding a first secondary game outcome and wherein awarding the second bonus award comprises awarding a second secondary game outcome. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46  wherein displaying the proximity of the count to the trigger threshold comprises displaying the proximity of the count that is closest to its associated trigger threshold. 
     
     
         49 . The gaming device of  claim 48  wherein the first and second defined relationships are the same and the first and second determined values are the same. 
     
     
         50 . The gaming device of  claim 48  wherein the display is configured to provide the graphical indication of the change in likelihood of awarding the bonus award only when a wager bears the defined relationship to the determined value. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the method further comprises displaying the proximity of the count to the trigger threshold only when a wager bears a second defined relationship to a second determined value. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the method further comprises updating the proximity of the count to the trigger threshold after each wager. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 38  wherein awarding a bonus award comprises awarding a fixed award. 
     
     
         54 . The gaming device of  claim 38  wherein awarding a bonus award comprises awarding a progressive award. 
     
     
         55 . A method of operating a gaming device comprising:
 selecting at least one trigger threshold within a range defined by low and high numbers;   generating at least one count related to the occurrence of wagers that bear a defined relationship to a determined value;   comparing the count and the high number;   displaying a graphical representation of the proximity of the count and the high number; and   awarding a bonus award when the count substantially equals the trigger threshold.   
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55  wherein awarding the bonus award comprises providing the opportunity to play a secondary game. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 55  wherein the method further comprises concealing the proximity of the count to the trigger threshold if the wager is below the determined value. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 55  wherein displaying the proximity of the count to the trigger threshold comprises changing the condition of light in proportion to the change in proximity of the count to the trigger threshold. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58  wherein changing the condition of light comprises changing the color of light. 
     
     
         60 . The gaming device of  claim 55  wherein wagers that bear the defined relationship to the determined value comprises a wager that is greater than a predetermined value. 
     
     
         61 . The gaming device of  claim 60  wherein the wager that is greater than a predetermined value comprises the maximum credit that can be wagered. 
     
     
         62 . The gaming device of  claim 55  wherein wagers that bear the defined relationship to the determined value comprises a wager that is less than a predetermined value. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 55  wherein the method further comprises:
 selecting a second trigger threshold within a range defined by low and high numbers;   generating a second count related to the occurrence of wagers that bear a second defined relationship to a second determined value;   comparing the second count and the second trigger threshold; and   awarding a second bonus award when the second count substantially equals the second trigger threshold.   
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the first and second bonus awards comprise the opportunity to play a secondary game and wherein awarding the first bonus award comprises awarding a first secondary game outcome and wherein awarding the second bonus award comprises awarding a second secondary game outcome. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 63  wherein displaying the proximity of the count to the trigger threshold comprises displaying the proximity of the count that is closest to its associated trigger threshold. 
     
     
         66 . The gaming device of  claim 65  wherein the first and second defined relationships are the same and the first and second determined values are the same. 
     
     
         67 . The gaming device of  claim 65  wherein the display is configured to provide the graphical indication of the change in likelihood of awarding the bonus award only when a wager bears the defined relationship to the determined value. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 55  wherein the method further comprises displaying the proximity of the count to the trigger threshold only when a wager bears a second defined relationship to a second determined value. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 55  wherein the method further comprises updating the proximity of the count to the trigger threshold after each wager. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 55  wherein awarding a bonus award comprises awarding a fixed award. 
     
     
         71 . The gaming device of  claim 55  wherein awarding a bonus award comprises awarding a progressive award. 
     
     
         72 . A method of operating a gaming device comprising:
 setting the odds for awarding a bonus award;   changing the odds of winning the bonus award after at least one wager; and   displaying the change in likelihood of paying the bonus award.   
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 72  wherein changing the odds comprises increasing the odds of wining the bonus award. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 72  wherein changing the odds comprises increasing the odds of wining the bonus award. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 72  further comprising changing the odds of winning the bonus after each wager. 
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 72  wherein changing the odds comprises increasing the odds of wining the bonus award after for one time period and decreasing the odds of winning the bonus award for another time period. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 72  wherein changing the odds comprises changing the odds after at least one wager and not changing the odds after another wager. 
     
     
         76 . A gaming device comprising:
 a base game;   a base game pay table;   a number generator configured to select at least one trigger threshold;   at least one bonus award mechanism configured to award a bonus award in addition to any award resulting from the base game pay table;   at least one counter configured to generate a count related to the occurrence of wagers that bear a defined relationship to a determined value, the counter being operatively connected to the bonus award mechanism and configured to award a bonus award when the count bears a predetermined relationship to the trigger threshold; and   an audio system configured to provide an audio indication of the change in likelihood of awarding the bonus award.